Clinical Study on Modified Huangqi Liujunzi Decoction Combined with Acupuncture,Moxibustion,and Acupoint Application for Cough Variant Asthma of Lung-Spleen Qi Deficiency Type
Abstract: Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Huangqi Liujunzi Decoction combined with acupuncture, moxibustion, and acupoint application in treating cough variant asthma (CVA) of lung-spleen qi deficiency type. Methods: A total of 60 patients with CVA of lung-spleen qi deficiency type admitted to Xianju People's Hospital from August 2024 to June 2025 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group according to a random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Both groups received conventional symptomatic treatment. In addition, the control group was treated with Budesonide and Formoterol Fumarate Powder for Inhalation, while the observation group was treated with modified Huangqi Liujunzi Decoction combined with acupuncture, moxibustion, and acupoint application. Both groups were treated for 10 days as one course,with a 3-day break between courses,and a total of 3 consecutive courses. Clinical efficacy was evaluated,and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, cough symptom scores, pulmonary function [peak expiratory flow (PEF) mean diurnal variation rate, forced expiratory volume in 1 second as a percentage of predicted value (FEV1%pred),FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC)],FEV1 improvement rate,eosinophil count (EOS),cough frequency, and immune response indicators [helper T cell (Th)1/Th2 ratio, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin- 4 (IL-4)] were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: The total effective rate was 90.00% (27/30) in the observation group and 76.67% (23/30) in the control group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment,traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores and cough symptom scores decreased in both groups compared to before treatment (P<0.05),and the observation group had lower scores than the control group (P<0.05). The FEV1%pred and FEV1/FVC increased in both groups compared to before treatment, while the PEF mean diurnal variation rate decreased (P<0.05). Moreover, the observation group had higher FEV1%pred and FEV1/FVC and a lower PEF mean diurnal variation rate than the control group (P<0.05). The EOS levels decreased in both groups compared to before treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group had lower EOS levels than the control group (P<0.05). Cough frequency decreased in both groups compared to before treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group had lower cough frequency than the control group (P<0.05). The Th1/Th2 ratio and IFN- γ levels increased in both groups compared to before treatment, while IL-4 levels decreased (P<0.05). The observation group showed higher Th1/Th2 ratio and IFN-γ levels and lower IL-4 levels than the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Guided by the theory of "reinforcing earth to generate metal," modified Huangqi Liujunzi Decoction combined with acupuncture,moxibustion,and acupoint application can reduce cough frequency,help control cough symptoms,improve pulmonary function,and promote recovery in patients with CVA of lung-spleen qi deficiency type.